APK explained: the Dutch periodic car inspection

The APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring) is the mandatory periodic vehicle inspection in the Netherlands, comparable to the British MOT or the German HU, often called TÜV. If your car has a Dutch registration, you are responsible for keeping its APK valid. A petrol or electric car is due for the first time when it is 4 years old, a diesel when it is 3. This page explains the basics for newcomers and expats.

What is checked

According to the Dutch government (Rijksoverheid), the inspection covers road safety (brakes, suspension, tyres, steering, lights, bodywork), the environment (emissions, and the presence of a particulate filter and catalytic converter) and registration (odometer reading, VIN, fuel). The inspection is done by a licensed inspector at a garage with an APK licence, not by the RDW itself. The result is recorded in the RDW vehicle register.

When is your car due?

For cars and vans up to 3,500 kg, the RDW uses these intervals, counted from the date of first registration (which may be abroad):

• Petrol, alcohol or electric: first APK at 4 years, then twice every 2 years, and every year from 8 years.
• Diesel, gas or another fuel (also as a hybrid): first APK at 3 years, then every year.
• 30 years or older: every 2 years. 50 years or older: no APK.

The APK is valid up to and including the expiry date. If you have the car inspected within 2 months before that date, you keep your date: the new expiry date is the old one plus 1 or 2 years. Postponing the APK is not possible.

What does it cost?

There is no fixed price; each garage sets its own rate. Ask for the total price, including registering the result with the RDW and any emissions test.

What if your APK expires?

• You may not drive the car. If you do and are stopped, the police can fine you.
• If the car is not used, the RDW allows the APK to be expired for at most 2 months. After that, a fine follows based on the register, even if the car is parked.
• You may drive to a booked APK inspection if the car is insured that day, you drive around the appointment time from your home address to the inspection address, you carry the appointment confirmation, and the inspector registers the result the same day.

Not using the car for a while? You can suspend the registration (schorsen) at the RDW.

How to check your expiry date

Enter your Dutch licence plate in our APK check. The data comes from the RDW open data, which is updated daily. With an APK reminder you get an email 30 days and 7 days before the date (the emails are in Dutch).

Taking the car abroad

Your car needs a valid APK abroad as well. According to the RDW, outside the Netherlands an APK can only be done in Belgium and Spain. Take the inspection report with you when you travel.

Imported car or foreign inspection

When you import a car from another EU country, the RDW inspects it before it gets a Dutch registration. That is not an APK. A still valid APK from an EU or EEA country can be taken over at import; otherwise you have the APK done at a garage after you receive the Dutch registration document.

Where to go

Any garage with an APK licence can inspect your car, including electric cars. Find one near you in our garage finder. Prefer Polish? Read APK w Holandii.

Sources: RDW, Over de APK; RDW, when and how often; Rijksoverheid, what is inspected. Checked on 23 October 2026.